Grinnell, Lt. Col. William , passed away on Sept. 12. 2017. Born on February 7, 1927 in Detroit, MI son of William and Grace Grinnell. He attended the University of Michigan where he met Virginia Stegner who would become his beloved wife of 60 years. He earned his Masters Degree at Western Maryland College. He learned to sail at the Detroit Yacht Club and enjoyed a lifetime of sailing the Great Lakes and in later years the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to being a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, he was forever a soldier, and a decorated hero. He served his county proudly in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam war. He ended his military career as a Lt. Colonel at Aberdeen Proving Ground. He and Virginia remained in Aberdeen where they raised their four children: Linda Grinnell of Mt. Dora Fl. Douglas Grinnell of San Diego CA, Leslie Grinnell Peters of Sorrento Fl. and David Grinnell of St. Petersburg Fl. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren, Alison & Brandon Diviaio, Brett & Griffin Grinnell, Jillian Grinnell Wright, as well as great grand children Finn O'Mara & Ruby Wright. William will be remembered for his strength of character, intelligence, loyalty, kindness and his never ending sense of humor. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to Cornerstone Hospice of Lake County. A private graveside memorial will be held by the family. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.